Closure fastener



Jan. 5, 1943. H. l.. MouNTJoY CLOSURE FASTENER Filed 4April 28, 1941 Patented Jan. 5, i943 antan 2,307,634 cLosURE FASTENER Henry LfMountjoy, Sandpoint, Idaho Application April 2s, 194,1, serial No. 390,696

I (ci. 292-202) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a closure. fastener of a type suitable for use in closing or shutting separate parts, such as Windows or doors in their frames, or other like ob jects.

More particularly this invention appertains to lever closure devices adapted to be Imounted for example on a frame Jco-engage in a loop or stirrup secured to a window or sash that is to be closed into the frame. When the two objects are brought together by means of the leverage action obtained, they not only will be securely closed, but they will also be latched as well.

Many of the fastener devices observed as being now available for window and door mechanism are either extremely complex in their construction or dimcult to operate because cf the manner in which they were designed and constructed. The

result is that they are not readily operable by children or adults who do not possess a reasonable degree of mechanical skill and knowledge.

It has been, therefore, an important object of my invention to provide a fastener mechanism having such an inherently simple and obvious means of operation as'to be capable of manipulation by the most inexperienced person who might on occasion be required to use the device.

Another observed undesirable feature of many of the fastener devices has related to the manner in which the devices were to be installed. A common practice has been the provision of a latch plate to be secured to a window in its frame and which must be mortised into the surface of the object to which it is to be attached. Bris requires the ability of accomplishment of handling carpenters tools in order to produce a satisfactory mounting of the device.

Another object of my invention, therefore, has been the provision of a fastener mechanism which can be mounted for use with the utmost ease and without requiring any degree of mechanical skill beyond the ability to operate a screwdriver.

A further object of the invention has been the provision of a fastener mechanism comprising a relatively few number of parts associated together to produce a compact, simply-operated device that can be manufactured in large quantities and as a result can be sold at an extremely low price.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. In the accompanying drawing I have illustrate-:l a preferred form of my invention, but it will be understood that I may depart from the details of that showing Within the scope and limits of the subjoined claims.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of theV mounting n plate and fastener lever employed thereon,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stirrup used in connection with the device of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical, sectionalvview, similar to that of Figure 1 but enlarged, showing in solic and dotted lines various positions assumed. by the operating lever, y

Figure 5 is a sectional view'taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2, and Y Figure 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along line 6--6 of Figure 2.

In Figure. 1,'the numeral it vdesignates a side bar or rail of a window .frame having a sill member ll and a head member l2. In this particular instance there are a plurality of window sash i4 and IS mounted in the frame on horizontal pivots to be swung outwardly after the manner indicated by the dotted lines.v Ihave adopted, for

the purpose of this illustration, the showing of this particular type of window mechanism. It will be. understood, however, that I do not wish to be limited thereby, and that the showing Ais made primarily for purposes of illustration.

In thisv showing, the lower cross rail I5 of the sash iii is designed to overlap or overhang the upper cross rail ll of the sash It. Often the action of weather or of age brings about a material change in the manner in which such pairs of sash will close against each other, or even in the vmanner in which a single sash will close against the stops in its frame. Sash usually becomes Warped at some period after its installation and when closed a crack will be left that will permit the entry of cold air, wind or even rain when these openings are exposed to the weather. The usual closures provided are of such a limited scope that they can not encompass the gap rleft between the parts to be closed, inthe case of a warped window, and unless pressure can be applied from without they can not be tightly closed. The device shown in the drawing is primarily intended to meet this objection.

Conversely, when such a warped window is closed, it is often true then that the parts have been forced so closely together' that they are not easily disengaged from each other, and it has also, therefore, been deemed advisable to design my mechanism so that it would assist in dislodging such jammed windows or doors.

The fastener of my invention is best shown in Figures 2 and 3, where, in enlarged perspective views, I have illustrated the two principal elements of the device. The numeral designates a mounting plate that has downwardly turned end flanges 2l and side flanges 22, which not only add to the strength of the plate 20 but also position it outwardly from the surface upon which it is to be mounted. I have provided countersunk screw holes 24 which may be arranged in the corners of the plate or according to any alterna-A f tive pattern that is deemed desirable.

A slightly tapered boss 26 is shown in Figure 2' to have been pressed outwardly from `the plate 28. It will, of course, be understood that'this method of forming a boss 26 is notabsolutely compulsory, as any other manner of attaching.

.handle portion 38 extends on the opposite side of the pivot.V An end eye ring 48 may also be provided on the lever end.

The stirrup employed in connection with the lever 28 is adapted to be mounted separately on an object, such as the sash I4 or the sash IE of Figure 1. Variations in the manner of mounting the parts of the closure may be used. The

stirrup comprises the mounting plate 42 which has a projecting ear 43 as well as an angularly disposed stirrup loop 44. As shown in Figure 3 the device has been formed from a blank produced by a stamping operation from a single sheet of material. The ear 43 has been formed from the main part of the angularly disposed arm 44, leaving the opening 45, which in a forward direction has been narrowed by tapers to form the slot 45, with which the horn is engaged4 to draw the two elements into close proximity. The plate 42 lies at right angles below the opening 45 and slot 46 and in line with the horn 36 of the lever in its path of travel. The plate is shown as being provided with a pair of countersunk screw holes 4'1. The ear 43 also has a countersunk screw hole 48 to assist in mounting the device.

Spaced apart from the boss 26 in the mounting plate is the secondary boss 58 which may also, as seen in Figure 6, be formed from the main part of the plate 26 and raised or extended therefrom a distance equal to the plane, of the lever 28. A rubber cap 52 is mounted over the boss 50 and is held therein by means of the screw 54. 'I'he cap 52 stands out from the surface of the plate 28 approximately the full limit of the distance that the lever 28 lies from the plate 20. Then, when the lever is positioned as shown in Figure 2, the handle portion 38 lies behind the rubber cap 52 and is retained-in that position. 'I'his is clearly shown in Figure 6.

The arrangement of the bosses 26 and 58 on the mounting plate 28 is such that the use may be for either right or left hand attachment according to the need of the particular sash or window or for both side use. The bosses are identically formed and arranged on the plate 75 Vcarrying the stirrup member.

20 and the iiexible rubber cap 52 is interchangeable with either boss. The lever 28 also may be secured to either boss. Thus by reason of this arrangement fewer units need be carried in stock and a universal fixture is provided.

In order to move the latch arm or lever arm 28 from the dotted liner position as shown in Figure 4 to the solid line position, where it lies behind the boss 52, it is necessary that the lever 28 be sprung to the angle indicated in Figure 6 so that it can be slipped past the head of the screw 54 and the cap 52 to assume the dotted line position of the showing of the same gure.

In the interior of the boss 58 I t the resilient rubber nut 56 into which the screw 54 is thread- Ved. v'Ihe nut 56 may be provided with a central hole that need not necessarily be threaded, but

' should be of a diameter that is slightly less than the inside diameter of the threads of the bolt or screw 54. When the threads of the screw54 are threaded into the nut, the rubber will closely engage the bolt and hold it against turningy and against displacement. The action of the'nut 34 is exactly the same and the primary function of the nuts 34 and 55 is to prevent the bolts 30 and 54 respectively from accidentally becoming loosened.

Under the plate 20 and within the anges 2|, 2l and 22, 22, I ordinarily place a wooden block 60 which substantially fills the area and serves to position the plate on the frame or other object upon which it may be mounted. In one or both of the ianges 22 nail holes as 62 may be formed so that when the plate 28 is properly mounted in a window frame, for example, weatherstripping may be tacked immediately against the edge of the plate disposed outwardly and tacks or nails used to secure the weatherstripping can be passed through the preformed holes 62.

Tov open the window as shown in Figures 1 and 4 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, the operator of the device would grasp the lever by its handle portion 33 adjacent the loop 40 and spring or ex the lever outwardly as indicated in Figure 6. The lever can then be swung past the rubber covered stop 52, and further swinging of the lever, as to the right in Figure 4, will disengage the horn 36 from the slot 46 and the horn 36 will be brought into contact with the face of the plate 42 as indicated.

Because the fulcrum formed by the bolt 30 for the lever 28 is xed, the horn 36 will then cause outward dislodgment or displacement of the sash If the sash is jammed or stuck so that ready dislodgrnent manually would be difficult, this operation, it will be seen, will be considerably simplified by the use of my device. As the horn 35 is swung or rotated about the pivot 30 the sash i5 will also swing on its outward pivot and-will quickly and readily be freed from its seat in the frame or against its mating sash. Y

To return the windows to their closed position, they will be manually swung to a point where the horn 36 may be engaged in the slots 45 Then by swinging the lever clockwise, about its .pivot in Figure 4, the sash I5 will be drawn inwardly against the jamb or stops to eiect a tight `closuregvof the sash, regardless of the amount of `warp in 1the sash.

Yof a sash with its frame. At times variances in the t of the sash mayr occur and for that reason I have provided in such instances that the cap 52 be eccentric on its outer face that engages the lever. By loosening the retaining screw, the cap may be rotated on the boss 50, as occasion demands, and a greater or lesser thickness of the cap can be disposed between the outer wall of the boss l] and the rear edge of lever 38. Thus the horn 38 will be retained at a farther drawnin position and the sash be retained more securely.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a fastener of the latch and keeper type, latch means comprising a base having a hollow nat-ended boss protruding therefrom, said boss being adapted to have a pin passed axially through its outer face, a pin loosely mounted in said boss, a resilient retainer member on the inner end of said pin within said boss, a rigid latch lever pivotally mounted on said pin and adapted on one end to engage a keeper, and a second boss on said base in the path of the other end of the latch lever, whereby the resiliency of the pivotal mounting permits the latch lever to be passed outwardly over the second boss to the latched position.

2. In a fastener of the latch and keeper type, latch means comprising a base having a hollow nat-ended boss protruding therefrom, said boss being adapted to have a pin passed axially through its outer face, a pin loosely mounted in said boss, a resilient retainer member on the inner end of said pin within said boss, a rigid latch lever pivotally mounted on said pin and adapted on one end to engage a keeper, a second boss on said base in the path of the other end of the latch lever, and 'eccentric means on said second boss, whereby the resiliency of the pivotal mounting permits the latch lever to be passed outwardly over the second boss to the latched position.

3. In a fastener of the latch and keeper type, latch means comprising a base having a hollow hat-ended boss protruding therefrom, said boss being adapted to have a pin passed axially through its outer flat face, a pin mounted in said boss, a resilient retainer member on the inner end of the pin within said boss, a rigid latch lever pivotally mounted on the pin and adapted on one end to engage a keeper, and a retainer member on the base in the path of the other end of the latch lever, whereby the resiliency of the pivotal mounting permits the latch lever to be passed outwardly over the retainer member to the latched position.

HENRY L. MOUNTJOY. 

